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    A spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said tonight (June 8) that the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) informed the bureau of the discovery of avian influenza cases in Xinjiang Autonomous Region through the notification framework.

    The spokesman said Mainland authorities informed the bureau this afternoon that dead geese were found in an individual farm in Tacheng in Xinjiang.  It was understood that there were about 1,042 geese with signs of illness, of which 460 died.  The same batch of geese together with the sick ones, over 13,000, were culled.  

    After confirming that the cases were caused by H5N1 viruses, the veterinarian department of Xinjiang adopted measures such as isolation and disinfection in accordance with Mainland's requirements.  Poultry within the infected area was culled.  Mainland authorities also carried out vaccination immediately at all poultry farms in the nearby areas and the situation had now been brought under control.  

    The spokesman explained that Hong Kong had not imported any live birds and poultry meat from Xinjiang.  The outbreak of avian influenza in waterfowls in Xinjiang would not therefore affect the public health situation in Hong Kong.  However, in accordance with the established practice, Mainland authorities had decided to suspend the export of live birds and poultry meat from the infected area to Hong Kong to protect public health in Hong Kong.

    The spokesman added that relevant departments here would step up surveillance in local farms and retail markets for any irregularities among the poultry population.

Ends/Wednesday, June 8, 2005

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